Pharmacokinetic study of dl-tetrahydropalmatine patches by UPLC–MS/MS in rabbits

Objective: To establish the measurement method of the plasma concentration and inspect the pharmacokinetic of the dl-tetrahydropalmatine patches. Method: Tandem mass spectrometric detection (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed for the detection of the plasma concentration. Results: We established the mass spectrometry conditions of dl-tetrahydropalmatine, all of which could meet the requirements of analysis of biological samples. The distribution law of dl-tetrahydropalmatine patches accorded with the single compartment model; Tmax=5.0h, Cmax=153.12ng/ml, MRT=10.0h, AUC0-inf=2.10 ug/ml·h, AUMC=21.15ug/ml·h². Conclusion: The UPLC–MS\MS method was useful in the pharmacokinetic study of dl-tetrahydropalmatine patches. It was simple, rapid, accurate and reliable and had high sensitivity and good reproducibility. Consequently, the method could be available for quantitative analysis and pharmacokinetic studies of dl-tetrahydropalmatine patches.